Primer/membrane barrier system

ABSTRACT

An exemplary primer/membrane package system comprises (a) a membrane comprising a carrier sheet and a pressure-sensitive adhesive thereon; and (b) an aqueous dispersion primer composition operative to promote adhesion between a construction surface and the membrane. The primer composition comprises at least two of an acetate, maleate, and acrylate, and has a viscosity of 200-2000 cp and more preferably 400-800 cp (Brookfield/#5 spindle/50 rpm, 25° C).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to barrier systems for protectingsurfaces, and more particularly to a water-based primer useful forfacilitating bonding of a barrier membrane to substrates such asconcrete, gypsum, wood, and fiber board.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] As organic solvents in the work place have come under increasedregulatory scrutiny, it is desired to use water-based compositions whenpossible. U.S. Pat. No. 4,897,313 of Wiercinski disclosed awaterproofing system for sealing concrete building surfaces, wherein awater-based latex primer composition, comprising butylacrylate, styrene,and acrylonitrile, was disposed upon a concrete surface to facilitatethe subsequent attachment thereto of a waterproofing membrane having apressure-sensitive adhesive on a plastic carrier sheet. An acrylatelatex suitable for formulating the primer, available from Union Carbideunder the name UCAR Latex 123, could be diluted from its originalviscosity of 150 centipoise (cp) to a usable range of 1-100 cp(Brookfeld viscosity at 50 rpm, 25° C.), and more preferably to 5-20 cp,the preferred range for achieving optimum penetration into porousconcrete surfaces.

[0003] As another example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,270,373 of Wiercinski et al.disclosed a variety of aqueous-based emulsion polymer primers forenhancing the bond of waterproofing membranes to building structuresurfaces such as subsurface basements, foundations, concrete walls,retaining walls, and others. Of particular concern was that adhesion ofthe preformed waterproofing membranes to the concrete surfaces wasdiminished by the presence of dust particles which covered the cement orconcrete walls. Priming (or pretreatment) was required especially inthese instances because the ability of the waterproofing membrane toform a bond with the cement or concrete surface was decreased by theparticles. Examples of polymers used in the primers included styrenebutadiene rubber, styrene butadiene styrene, natural rubber,polybutadiene, polyvinyl acetate, acrylic polymer, chloroprene,polyurethane, copolymers of ethylene and vinyl acetate, or copolymers ofvinyl chloride and acrylics (Col. 2, lines 58-65). As a preferredexample of a primer composition, Wiercinski et al. taught an SBRemulsion stabilized with potassium oleate.

[0004] It is also desired to apply membranes as weather barriers ontogypsum wall boards using water-based primer compositions. However,gypsum wall boards of recent design have glass fibers embedded within awater-resistant gypsum core. Such boards are seen frequently used on newschool and office buildings as external support for a “house wrap,”suchas DuPont's TYVEK® nonwoven fabric, covered subsequently by clapboardsheathing. It has been difficult to substitute the fabric housewrap witha pressure-sensitive adhesive barrier membrane, because it has hithertobeen necessary to use solvent-based primers to facilitate bonding of thebarrier membrane adhesive to the fiber-embedded gypsum board, and thewater- based primers developed for concrete waterproofing use have notbeen found to facilitate barrier membrane bonding to gypsum boards.

[0005] Accordingly, a novel water-based primer system is needed thatwould permit additional pretreatment applications such as gypsum boards,fiber-embedded gypsum boards, and fiber-containing boards, in additionto cement and concrete structural surfaces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In surmounting the disadvantages of the prior art, the presentinvention provides a barrier membrane package system having awater-based primer operative to enhance bonding of the membrane todifficult surfaces such as gypsum boards, fiber-embedded gypsum boards,fiber boards, as well as to cement, concrete, masonry block, and othersurfaces.

[0007] An exemplary package system of the invention therefore comprises:(a) a membrane comprising a carrier sheet and a pressure-sensitiveadhesive thereon; and (b) a primer composition comprising an aqueousdispersion operative to promote adhesion of said membrane to aconstruction surface, said primer composition having a viscosity of200-2000 cp and more preferably 400-600 cp (Brookfield/#5 spindle/50rpm, 25° C.) and comprising a copolymer having at least two polymersselected from acetate, maleate, and acrylate. The copolymer ispreferably an acetate-dioctyl maleate-2-ethylhexyl acrylate. Anexemplary method for protecting a construction surface, comprisingapplying the primer composition to promote adhesion between the surfaceand the subsequently applied barrier membrane, is also described hereinand after.

[0008] The term “package” as used herein means and refers both to thesituation wherein the barrier membrane and primer are provided togetheras a system, and also to the situation in which the primer compositionand barrier membrane are applied to a construction surface (e.g., aglass-embedded gypsum board) for “packaging” the board itself or as anintegrated part of a building structure.

[0009] Other advantages and features of the invention may become moreapparent in the detailed description that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0010] A comprehension of the following detailed description ofexemplary embodiments may be facilitated by the accompanying drawing,wherein FIG. 1 is an exemplary primer/membrane package system of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0011] shown in FIG. 1, an exemplary barrier membrane system package ofthe invention comprises installing onto a construction surface 10 abarrier membrane 16 using an aqueous dispersion primer composition(designated as at 12). The terms “system” and “package” may be usedinterchangeably herein and after to refer to the combination of barriermembrane 16 and primer composition 12, either packaged to be sold withone another and/or used in combination as a system (such as at the pointof sale) or otherwise used in combination at the application site (suchas at a building construction site) for installation on the particularconstruction surface 10.

[0012] Exemplary construction surfaces 10 include cement and concrete,masonry, brick, subsurface foundation walls, decks, roofing, steel, woodpanels, tunnels, and pipelines, and also gypsum boards, fiber-embeddedgypsum boards, and resin chip board (wood chips bound together by resin,sometimes referred to as “oriented strand board”). Particularlypreferred construction surfaces 10 include fiber-embedded boards made ofwater-resistant gypsum. A fiber-embedd board which is commerciallyavailable under the trade name DENS-GLASS GOLD is particularlypreferred. This board has glass fibers embedded in a water-resistantcore, and contains its own primer, which is believed to be elastomericin nature, and it is believed the inventors that this primer does notneed to be present in order for the primer composition of the presentinvention to operate effectively in enhancing bonding of the barriermembrane 16 to the board 10.

[0013] The present invention also relates to gypsum fiber boards (suchas designated at 10 in FIG. 1), optionally having fibers (e.g., glass,polyolefin, polyamide, polyester, cellulose, etc.) embedded therein,optionally containing adhesive materials (e.g., urea-formaldehyderesins, wax asphalt, polyvinyl alcohol, thermoplastic resins), and/oroptionally pre-coated (prior to shipment/installation at constructionsite) with elastomeric protective coating(s) (e.g., acrylates, wax,asphalt, natural or synthetic latexes, etc.), in combination with theaqueous primer composition 12 and (weather) barrier membrane 16described above. Such boards are generally known in the industry (Seee.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,883,024; U.S. Pat. No. 5,718,785; U.S. Pat. No.5,791,109; U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,179; U.S. Pat. No. 5,644,880; U.S. Pat.No. 5,371,989; U.S. Pat. No. 5,342,680; U.S. Pat. No.5,319,900; U.S.Pat. No. 5,220,762; U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,645; U.S. Pat. N 5,135,805; U.S.Pat. No. U.S. Pat. No. 4,879,173; U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,569; and U.S. Pat.No. 4,647,496).

[0014] Exemplary barrier membranes 16 may comprise a polymer carriersheet 18 and preformed, pressure-sensitive adhesive 16 layer such as arubber-modified bituminous adhesive, synthetic adhesive, or otherconventional pressure-sensitive adhesives. A suitable barrier membraneis taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,027,572 of Purcell and Shapiro,incorporated fully by reference herein. This patent disclosed a two-partmembrane of multiple cross-laminated layers of polyethylene film, fullybonded to a layer of rubberized asphalt. Such a membrane is soldcommercially under the trademark PERM-A-BARRIER by Grace ConstructionProducts (a business of W. R>Grace & Co.-Conn.), Cambridge, Mass., USA.This membrane is typically used in exterior insulation finish systems tocover gypsum board. Other barrier membrane materials may also besuitably employed in the invention. Instead of a polymer film, themembrane may also employ a fabric (e.g., nonwoven), mesh, or felt as thecarrier support sheet 18. Exemplary carrier sheets 18 are preferablycross-laminated, high density polyethylene film (2-10 mils thick) withrubberized bitumen (asphalt) (20-40 mils thick).

[0015] Exemplary aqueous primer compositions 12 of the invention may bespray applied (as shown in FIG. 1), brushed, or rolled onto theconstruction surface 10, or otherwise applied by known means.Preferably, the primer compositions have a viscosity of 200-2000centipoise (cp), Brookfield/#5 spindle/50 rpm, 25° C., and morepreferably 400-800 cp, and are preferably applied in a wet thickness of1-30 mils.

[0016] Exemplary aqueous dispersion primer compositions comprises acopolymer of a vinyl acetate, a maleate, and an acrylate; and mostpreferably they comprise vinyl acetate-dioctyl maleate-2-ethylhexylacrylate. Preferably, the primer composition comprises a copolymerhaving an average particle size of 0.5-1.5 microns, and more preferablyan average particle size of about 1 micron.

[0017] Exemplary acetates for use in the primer composition may includevinyl acetate.

[0018] Exemplary maleates for use in the primer composition may includedi-ethyl maleate, di-2-ethyl hexyl maleate, di-butyl maleate, octyl acidmaleate, or mixtures thereof.

[0019] Exemplary acrylates for use in the primer composition may includeethyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, methyl acrylate, butyl acrylate,2-ethylhexyl acrylate, or mixtures thereof.

[0020] Exemplary primer compositions further comprise one or moresurfactants. Anionic surfactants that may be used includepolyalkoxycarboxylates, alkylbenzenesulfonates, petroleum sulfonates,fatty acid ester sulfonates, sulfates, or mixtures thereof. Nonionicsurfactants that may be used include polyoxyethylene, carboxylic acidesters, and glycol esters of fatty acids. Cationic surfactants that bebe used include amines, quaternary ammonium salts, or mixtures thereof.Particularly preferred surfactants include disodium dodecyl benzenesulfonate (preferably in solution form), sodium salt (preferably watersoluble form), phosphate ester etherified alkyl phenol, alkyl arylpolyether glycol, sodium salt of alkyl aryl polyether sulfate, sodiumvinyl sulfonate, sodium lauryl sulfate nonylphenoxypoly ethanol, ormixtures thereof.

[0021] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the primercompositions further comprise at least one rheology modifier, such asanimal glue, carboxymethyl cellulose, casein, cellulose ether, gelatin,guar gum, gum arabic, polyvinyl alcohol, soap, sodium polyacrylate,hydroxyethyl cellulose, or mixture thereof.

[0022] In primer/membrane packaging systems of the invention which areinstalled on vertical services, it is preferred that the primercomposition include a tackifying plasticizer or “tackifying resin” tofacilitate pressure-sensitive adhesion of the barrier membrane 16further. Such tackifiers generally have average molecular weights in the500-2000 range, with broad molecular weight distribution. Exmplarytackifier plasticizers or tackifying resins includedipropylene/diethylene glycol dibenzoate, dipropylene glycol dibenzoate,butyl benzyl phthalate, citric acid esters, dibutoxyethyl phthalate,dibutyl phthalate, dicyclohexyl phthalate, diisobutyl adipate,diisodecyl adipate, diisooctyl phthalate, dimethyl phthalate, dioctyladipate, dioctyl phthalate, diphenyl phthalate, glycerine, propyleneglycol, sodium nitrate, tricresyl phosphate, butyl phthalyl ethylglycolate, hydrocarbon resin (e.g., rosin derivatives, terpene resins),rosin derivatives, low molecular weight acrylics, coumarone-indeneresins, terpene oligomers, aliphatic petroleum resins, alkyl-modifiedphenolics, or mixtures thereof. Tackifying plasticizers to be generallysuitable for use in the invention are available under a variety oftradenames, such as BAKELITE™ (Union Carbide); HERCOLYN™ (Hercules,Inc.); NEVILLAC™ (Neville Chemical Co.); PICCOFLEX™ PICCOLITE™ andPICCOPALE™ (Union Carbide); and VINSOL™ (Hercules, Inc.). Accordingly,in primer/membrane package systems for vertical installation, it ispreferred that a plasticizing tackifier or tackifier resin beincorporated into the surfactant.

[0023] Still further exemplary primer/membrane packaging systems of theinvention further comprise an agent for lowering the freezing point ofthe primer composition. Preferred agents include alcohol (e.g.,methanol, ethanol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, etc.), sodiumchloride, urea, sucrose, potassium acetate, seawater, or mixturethereof.

[0024] In particularly preferred primer/membrane package systems of theinvention, the membrane comprises a polymer film (e.g., cross-laminatedpolyethylene) and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer comprising arubberized asphalt; and the aqueous dispersion primer compositioncomprises a copolymer having at least two of the acetate, maleate, andacrylate (in a ratio of 10:90 to 90:10); and more preferably all threeof the acetate, maleate, and acrylate. Preferably, the acetate (e.g.,vinyl acetate) is present in the amount of 30-50%; the maleate (e.g.,dibutyl or dioctyl maleate) is present in the amount of 30-50%; and theacrylate (e.g., 2-ethylhexyl acrylate) is present in the amount of10-30%; all percentages based on total weight solids in the composition.Particularly preferred primer compositions comprise one or moresurfactants present in the amount of 0.5-5%, a rheology modifying agentpresent in the amount of 0.05 and preferably a plasticizing tackifier(or tackifier resin) in the amount of 0.5 -5%, all percentages based ontotal weight of solids in the composition.

[0025] Other exemplary percentage ranges for the primer compositions canbe as follows: vinyl acetate in the amount of 20-60%; maleate in theamount of 20-60%, and acrylate in the amount of 5-40%; surfactant in theamount of 0.05-5%; rheology modifying agent in the amount of 0.05-5%;tackifying plasticizer (or tackifying resin) in the amount of 0.5-10%;all percentages based on total weight of said primer composition. Theseare merely exemplary ranges. Those skilled in the art can alter theseranges, depending on the specific nature of the components chosen andtheir compatability and/or interaction with each other, according to thesituation, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0026] The invention also pertains to construction surface package orsystems (as shown in FIG. 1) comprising a construction surface 10 uponwhich said primer composition 12 is disposed as a coating layerfacilitating bonding between said construction surface 10 and saidbarrier membrane 16. Accordingly, the construction surface 10 maycomprise cement, concrete, masonry block, brick, subsurface foundationwalls, decks, roofing, steel, wood panels, tunnels, pipes, gypsum board,fiber-embedded gypsum board, resin chip board, or mixture thereof.Preferably, the construction surface 10 is fiber-embedded gypsum board;and most preferably, the board 10 is mounted upon framework as anintegral part of a building structure.

[0027] The present invention also pertains to methods for packagingconstruction surfaces 10, comprising: applying the primer composition 12to a construction surface 10 and subsequently applying thereupon thebarrier membrane 16, which preferably comprises a carrier sheet 18 uponwhich is continuously disposed a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 20(e.g., rubberized bitumen or asphalt, synthetic adhesive). As mentionedabove, the primer compositions 12 of the invention are most suited forproviding pretreatment to fiber-embedded gypsum boards, which areincreasingly being used in so-called external insulation finish systemsof the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,027,572. In preferred methodsof the invention, the fiber-embedded gypsum board is installed onframing, and the primer composition 12 is then applied to facilitateadhesion of the barrier membrane 16 over the board 10 which isintegrated as part of the building structure. Fiber-embedded gypsumboards are commercially available with or without coatings, and ineither case the preferred copolymers in exemplary primer compositions ofthe invention should preferably comprise at least two of acetate,maleate, or acrylate, and preferably all three (e.g., vinylacetate-dioctyl maleate-2-ethylhexyl acrylate) as previously describedabove.

[0028] The following examples are provided for illustrative purposesonly and are not intended to limit scope of the invention.

EXAMPLE 1

[0029] Six polymer emulsions were tested for their ability to facilitatethe adhesion of a barrier membrane to a glass fiber-embedded gypsum coreboard. The test membrane used was GRACE PERM-A-BARRIER brand membranecomprising 36 mils thickness of self-adhesive rubberized asphaltintegrally bonded to 4 mils thickness of cross-laminated, high densitypolyethylene film. The test membranes were three (3) inch wide strips.The fiber/gypsum board was DENS-GLAS GOLD which had glass fibersembedded in a water-resistant treated gypsum core.

[0030] Sample #1 was an exemplary aqueous primer composition of thepresent invention which may be prepared by polymerizing together two ormore of an acetate (e.g., vinyl acetate), maleate (e.g., dioctylmaleate); or acrylate (e.g., ethylhexyl acrylate). The copolymerizationprocess may be done either in batchwise or continuous fashion by heatingthe acetate, maleate, and/or acrylate monomers between 140-180° F. forabout 4-16 hours. An aqueous dispersion comprising a vinylacetate-dioctyl maleate-2-ethylhexyl acrylate (appr. 38-52%), water(appr. 40-60%), vinyl acetate (monomer less than 1% present), andremainder comprising surfactant, rheology modifying agent, and/ortackifier (1-10%) is commercially available from Grace PerformanceChemicals, Cambridge, Mass., under the tradename DARATAK®. Inparticular, DARATAK® 90L provided the best peel strength in testingresults, although it is believed that individual test results may dependupon the construction surface used. DARATAK® 90L emulsions, inparticular, were designed for adhering plastic film to paper, and thusit is believed by the present inventors that even better peel adhesionstrength may be achieved for the barrier membrane applications of thepresent invention by using other surfactant/rheology modifying agents,and/or tackifying plasticizers or tackifying resins as describedpreviously above. Viscosity of primer compositions may be adjusted byaddition of water to achieve an ideal viscosity in the range of 200-2000and more preferably 400-800 cp.

[0031] For comparitive purposes, primer composition samples #2-#5 wereconventional primers available in the industry. Sample #2 was an acrylicemulsion (NEOCAR 820, Union Carbide). Sample #3 was a vinylidenechloride acrylate copolymer emulsion (HALOFLEX 320 from Neoresins).Sample #4 was another acrylic copolymer emulsion (NEOCRYL A7129 fromNeoResins). Sample #5 was a butyl rubber emulsion (AQUALAST BL-100 fromLord Corp.). Sample #6 was a butylacrylate emulsion, available under thetradename SYSTEM 4000 from Grace Construction Products, Cambridge, Mass.Each of the sample primer compositions were applied in equal thickness(about 1-30 mils wet thickness) onto the gypsum core surface, and thethree-inch wide membrane strips were applied onto the pretreated DENSGLASS GOLD substrate. The peel strength of the membrane sample stripswere tested on an Instron machine pulling at a 90 degree angle at a rateof 2 in./min. The results are set forth in Table 1 below. Viscosity wasdetermined by Brookfield RV, #5 spindle, 50 rpm, 25° C. Sample 1 hadsurprisingly superior peel strength. It is believed that similar resultscan be obtained with a variety of construction surfaces. TABLE 1Viscosity Peel Strength Sample PRIMER (cp) (Pounds per inch) 1Acetate/Maleate/Acrylate 512 5.9 2 Acrylic Emulsion 100 1.4 3 VinylideneChloride Acrylate 60 1.7 4 Acrylic Emulsion 1 0.6 5 Butyl RubberEmulsion <200 1.5 6 Butyl Acrylate Emulsion 1 1.6

EXAMPLE 2

[0032] A slow peel test was performed using barrier membrane stripswhich comprised a polyethylene carrier film supporting a rubber asphaltpressure-sensitive adhesive. The strips were approximately one foot wideby three feet in length. The construction surface was a glass-fiberembedded gypsum board that is commercially available under the tradenameDENS-GLASS GOLD.

[0033] A first sample strip membrane was applied onto a board using noprimer. A second sample strip membrane was applied to the board using asolvent-based primer (Primer B2 from Grace Construction Products). Athird sample was a water-based butyl acrylate sold as SYSTEM 4000pretreatment conditioner also from Grace. A fourth sample was anexemplary aqueous primer composition of the invention comprising acopolymer of acetate, maleate, and acrylate (sold under the tradenameDARATAK from Grace). Each of the four sample strips, which had atwo-inch overhang at the top, were installed onto the gypsum boardsoutdoors. After four weeks, only the fourth sample strip membrane stayedadhered to the gypsum board; all the others fell off completely.

[0034] The foregoing examples are provided by way of illustration onlyand are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

It is claimed:
 1. A package including a barrier membrane and primercomposition, comprising: (a) a membrane comprising a carrier sheet and apressure-sensitive adhesive thereon; and (b) a primer compositioncomprising an aqueous dispersion operative to promote adhesion of saidmembrane to a construction surface, said primer composition having aviscosity of 200-2000 cp (Brookfield/#5 spindle/50 rpm, 25° C.) andcomprising a copolymer having at least two polymers selected fromacetate, maleate, or acrylate.
 2. The package of claim 1 wherein saidviscosity is 400-800 cp.
 3. The package of claim 1 wherein said aqueousdispersion primer composition comprises a copolymer of a vinyl acetate,a maleate, and an acrylate.
 4. The package of claim 1 wherein saidprimer composition comprises a copolymer of vinyl acetate-dioctylmaleate-ethylhexyl acrylate.
 5. The package of claim 1 wherein saidprimer composition comprises an aqueous dispersion of vinylacetate-dioctyl maleate-2-ethylhexyl acrylate.
 6. The package of claim 1wherein said acetate comprises a vinyl acetate.
 7. The package of claim1 wherein said maleate comprises di-ethyl maleate, di-2-ethyl hexylmaleate, di-butyl maleate, octyl acid maleate, or mixture thereof. 8.The package of claim 1 wherein said acrylate comprises ethyl acrylate,methyl methacrylate, methyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, 2 ethyl hexylacrylate, or mixture thereof.
 9. The package of claim 1 wherein saidaqueous dispersion primer composition comprises a surfactant comprisingdisodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, sodium salt, phosphate esteretherated alkyl phenol, alkyl aryl polyether glycol, sodium salt ofalkyl aryl polyether sulfate, sodium vinyl sulfonate, sodium laurylsulfate nonylphenoxypoly ethanol, or mixture thereof.
 10. The package ofclaim 9 wherein said aqueous dispersion primer composition comprises arheology modifier comprising an animal glue, carboxymethyl cellulose,casein, cellulose ether, gelatin, guar gum, gum arabic, polyvinylalcohol, soap, sodium polyacrylate, hydroxyethyl cellulose, or mixturethereof.
 11. The package of claim 1 wherein said aqueous dispersionprimer composition further comprises a tackifying plasticizer selectedfrom 5 dipropylene/diethylene glycol dibenzoate, dipropylene glycoldibenzoate, butyl benzyl phthalate, citric acid esters, dibutoxyethylphthalate, dibutyl phthalate, dicyclohexyl phthalate, diisobutyladipate, diisodecyl adipate, diisooctyl phthalate, dimethyl phthalate,dioctyl adipate, dioctyl phthalate, diphenyl phthalate, glycerine,propylene glycol, sodium nitrate, tricresyl phosphate, butyl phthalylethyl glycolate, hydrocarbon resins, or a mixture thereof.
 12. Thepackage of claim 3 further comprising a surfactant and plasticizingtackifier.
 13. The package of claim 1 wherein said aqueous dispersionprimer composition further comprises an agent for lowering the freezingpoint, said agent comprising an alcohol, sodium chloride, urea, sucrose,potassium acetate, seawater, or mixture thereof.
 14. The package ofclaim 1 wherein said alcohol freezing point lowering agent comprisesmethanol, ethanol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, or mixturethereof.
 15. The package of claim 1 wherein said membrane comprises apolymer film and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer comprising arubberized asphalt.
 16. The package of claim 1 wherein said membranecomprises a polyethylene polymer film and a pressure-sensitiverubberized asphalt adhesive layer, and wherein said primer compositioncomprises an aqueous dispersion of vinyl acetate-dioctylmaleate-2-ethylhexyl acrylate.
 17. The package of claim 3 wherein saidcopolymer of said primer composition comprises a vinyl acetate in theamount of 20-60%, a maleate in the amount of 20-60%, and an acrylate inthe amount of 5-40%, a surfactant in the amount of 0.05-5%, and atackifying plasticizer in the amount of 0.5-10%, all percentages basedon total weight of said primer composition.
 18. The package of claim 1further comprising a construction surface upon which said primercomposition is disposed as a coating layer facilitating bonding betweensaid barrier membrane and said construction surface.
 19. The package ofclaim 1 wherein said construction surface comprises cement, concrete,masonry block, brick, subsurface foundation walls, decks, roofing,steel, wood panels, tunnels, pipes, gypsum board, fiber-embedded gypsumboard, resin chip board, or mixture thereof.
 20. The package of claim 1wherein said construction surface comprises fiber-embedded gypsum board.21. The package of claim 1 wherein said barrier membrane and said primercomposition are packaged together.
 22. The package of claim 1 whereinsaid primer composition comprises a copolymer having an average particlesize of 1 micron.
 23. Method for packaging a construction surface,comprising: applying said primer composition of claim 1 to aconstruction surface, and subsequently applying thereupon said barriermembrane of claim
 1. 24. Method of claim 23 wherein said constructionsurface is a fiber-embedded gypsum board.
 25. Method of claim 25 whereinsaid fiber-embedded gypsum board is installed on framing.
 26. The methodof claim 23 wherein said primer composition comprises an aqueousdispersion of a vinyl acetate-dioctyl maleate-ethylhexyl acrylate.